Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa were spotted in Santa Fe. New MexicoFor the first time in 20 years, the United States held a national holiday on Thursday.

The reclusive, uncredited actor, who hasn’t appeared in a film in the past 20-years, was spotted holding on to his wife’s forearm as they ate at Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen.

The legendary Oscar winner and his longtime companion seemed to be in good spirits as they left together the restaurant.

Hackman was dressed for a casual outing in a gray sweater over a casual shirt with plaid, outdoor green trousers, and black shoes.

His outfit was completed by a khaki cap and sunglasses. His grey hair tucked behind the ear was worn under the headwear. He also wore a neatly trimmed mustache. 

Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa were seen in Santa Fe, New Mexico, on Thursday, for the first time since 20 years.

The reclusive actor who hasn’t starred in a movie for 20 years was spotted holding his wife’s hand for balance while the two grabbed a bite to eat at Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen

The legendary Oscar winner and his longtime companion seemed to be in good spirits as they left together the restaurant

 Hackman, who celebrated his 94th birthday in January, wore a gray fleece over a casual plaid t-shirt, outdoor green pants and black sneakers.

Hackman enjoyed some apple pie and a cup or coffee from a Speedway in his locality, before the dinner. The New York Post

The couple’s outing marks the first time they were seen together in public for 21 years, with the last time being at the 2003 Golden Globe Awards, where he won the Cecil B. deMille award. 

It was also a rare opportunity to see the star himself – his last film role was alongside Ray Romano in the 2004 movie Welcome To Mooseport.

He gave a rare Larry King interview on July 7, the same year. In it, he said that he did not have any new film projects in mind and that he believed his acting career had ended.

Years later he confirmed that he was retiring while promoting Escape From Andersonville, his third novel.

His outfit was completed by a khaki-colored baseball cap and shades. His grey hair hid behind his ear and he had a neat mustache.

The couple’s outing is the first time in 21 years that they have been seen together. Their last public appearance was at the 2003 Golden Globe Awards when he won the Cecil B. deMille prize.

Hackman and Arakawa married in 1991. Arakawa was a retired pianist who was 30 years older than Hackman. The couple is rarely seen in public. 

The couple were pictured together in 2003, at the Golden Globe Awards. Hackman was awarded the Cecil B. deMille prize.

He told Reuters that he would no longer be acting.

I’ve been warned not to say it for the last few year, in case there is a real wonderful part, but now I don’t feel like saying it. 

He also explained his passion for writing novels, saying ‘I like the loneliness of it, actually. It’s similar to acting in some ways, but I feel more in control and have more control of what I want to say and do. 

There’s always compromises in acting and film. You work with so many different people, and everyone has their own opinion. … I don’t know that I like it better than acting, it’s just different. I find it relaxing, and comforting.

Hack was seen using a cane on Thursday as he left a New Mexico Restaurant 

The two seemed to be in a good mood following their dinner date 

Hackman was dressed perfectly for a day out as he kept it comfortable in rugged black sneakers

Hackman replied to GQ in 2011 when asked if he’d ever do another film. “If I can do it in my house without disturbing anything, and only one or two people.”

He has not stayed completely away from the industry, however, as he has narrated two Marine Corps documentaries:  The Unknown Flag Raiser of Iwo Jima (2016) and We, The Marines (2017).

Hackman began his career in acting nearly 70 years ago. He joined the Pasadena Playhouse, where he became friends with fellow aspiring actor Dustin Hoffman.

He moved to New York City in 1963, where he began performing in Off-Broadway shows and smaller TV roles.

Thespian made his name during the 1970s when he won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for the 1970 film, I Never Sang for My Father.

The following year he officially became a leading man, winning the Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance as New York City Detective Jimmy ‘Popeye’ Doyle in The French Connection.

He continued to work steadily, appearing in films such as The Poseidon Adventure in 1972 and Francis Ford Coppola’s The Conversation in 1974 before landing the role of Lex Luthor as the supervillain in 1978’s Superman: The Movie.

In the 1980s, he appeared in several films such as Reds (1981), Under Fire (1983), Hoosiers (1986), No Way Out (87) and Mississippi Burning(1988).

He became a leading actor when he won an Academy Award for Best Actor for playing New York City Detective Jimmy “Popeye” Doyle in The French Connection (1971).

He has continued to work in films such as The Poseidon Adventure, a disaster film from 1972, and Francis Ford Coppola’s The Conversation (pictured), a 1974 film by Francis Ford Coppola.

In 1992, he won his second Oscar for his role as the sadistic sheriff “Little” Bill Daggett in Unforgiven alongside Clint Eastwood.

 Hackman’s final movie role was with Christine Baranski, in the 2004 comedy Welcome To Mooseport

He won his second Oscar in the 1990s for his performance as the sadistic Sheriff ‘Little Bill Daggett’ alongside Clint Eastwood, in 1992’s Unforgiven.

He rounded out that decade by also starring in  Narrow Margin (1990), Geronimo: An American Legend (1993), The Firm (1993), The Chamber (1996), Wyatt Earp (1994), The Quick And The Dead (1995), Crimson Tide (1995), Get Shorty (1995,) Absolute Power (1997), The Birdcage (1996) and Enemy Of The State (1998).

Hackman continued to work in the early 2000s. He starred in Behind Enemy Lines 2001, Heist 2001, Runaway Jury 2003 and won the Golden Globe award for Best Actor Musical or Comedy (2001’s The Royal Tenenbaums).

Hackman divorced Faye Maltese after 30 years and three children. 

Five years later, he walked down the aisle with Arakawa, a retired classical pianist 30 years younger than him. 

In an Empire 2020 interview, the retired actress said that he loved watching DVDs Arakawa rented.   

He said, ‘We enjoy the simple stories that are produced by some of these low-budget movies.’ 

“Friday night is reserved for a Comedy Channel Marathon, with special attention to Eddie Izzard. The speed of the thought is amazing.